Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for aggravation of preexisting bilateral flat feet, finding that there was no increase in disability during service and that the evidence did not support a presumption of aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on several issues, including those related to radiculopathy, frostbite, hearing loss, dizziness and vertigo, respiratory disability, right knee chondromalacia patella, gastric ulcer, chronic headaches, allergic rhinitis, cervical strain, and lumbar paravertebral myositis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, LLE radiculopathy, and low back scar are rated at 20 percent effective February 7, 2018. The bilateral foot disability is rated at 30 percent effective July 2, 2019.

An initial 50 percent rating for disabilities of the left and right feet, effective January 8, 2001, is granted.,An initial, separate 20 percent rating for right knee disability based on frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion, effective January 8, 2001, to September 29, 2014, is granted.,An initial, separate, minimum 10 percent rating for right knee disability based on instability, effective January 8, 2001, to September 29, 2014, is granted.,Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability based on limitation of flexion, from January 8, 2001, to September 29, 2014, is remanded.,Entitlement to an initial, separate, rating in excess of 10 percent rating for a right knee disability based on instability, effective January 8, 2001, to September 29, 2014, is remanded.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for a right knee disability from November 1, 2015, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, affecting balance and propulsion. The Board finds that he is eligible for specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptation grants due to his existing eligibility for SAH.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability.

The Board has remanded three issues for further development: service connection for athlete's foot, rating in excess of 10 percent for left heel plantar calcaneal spur, and rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left thumb injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claim for recurrent foot disability to include bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date and the propriety of a reduction in disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the right foot and ankle, finding that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by amputation below the knee with a suitable prosthetic appliance. The decision is based on evidence from VA treating podiatrists who assessed the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is not entitled to SMC at a rate intermediate between SMC(l) and SMC(m) (SMC(p)) because he does not have an additional disability rated as 50 or 100 percent disabling.,The Veteran's claim for higher level of SMC, claimed as entitlement to SMC(t), is denied due to the lack of evidence showing that he requires a 'higher level of care' than what is required for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability from March 13, 2017 onward is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's request for an extended temporary total rating based on convalescence for right foot disability from April 1, 2013 to August 27, 2014 was denied.,The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left facial and ear numbness and eye lid symptoms due to a VA procedure in July 2012 was denied.,The Veteran's request for an increased disability rating for his left foot disability from May 1, 2016 onward was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD prior to May 8, 2017 was denied.,The Veteran's request for TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities prior to May 8, 2017 was granted.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to his military service.,Service connection for body pain was also denied due to lack of evidence showing causation or aggravation by sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left foot disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of severe impairment warranting a higher rating, but also noted that she had some functional use of her left foot.

The appeal for the issue of sickle cell trait was dismissed. The appeals for low back disorder, pes planus, left ankle disorder, inguinal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, and sinusitis are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 9, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran was still employed at the time of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for left great toe arthritis, bilateral pes planus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), prostate cancer, hip disability, and skin disability to include skin tags due to issues with obtaining additional opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim and TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of his bilateral pes planus since 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg, left leg, and bilateral foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active military service.,There is no medical opinion or credible evidence showing that any current right or left leg disability or bilateral foot condition was incurred during her military service.